Special issue on the 4th International Conference on Recycling and Reuse 24-26 October 2018, Istanbul, Turkey: Preface

Abstract

In order to reach the ultimate goal of a prosperous human-centered society, new approaches in industrialization are being conceptualized, discussed or put into action in different parts of the world. However, industrial development and progress still depend heavily on limited natural resources such as water, minerals and fuels. A simple database search shows that interest of academia on concepts of recycling and reuse has doubled in the last 5 years, with a consistent increase since 2001. Research mainly includes but is not limited to reusing and recycling of lithium ion batteries in order to recover lithium, greywater for sustainable water management specifically at urban areas, rare earth elements, solid waste and industrial wastewater. Valorization of industrial wastewater for closing the on-site water cycle and recovery of resources including minerals and energy has been the focus of researchers and policy-makers alike, in the last decade. Apart from more conventional treatment approaches such as electrocoagulation, membrane filtration, and advanced oxidation, nanotechnology-based techniques have recently begun drawing attention.